Martin has Tour de France in his sights

CYCLING: IRISH PROFESSIONAL Daniel Martin showed excellent early-season form last week when he finished third overall in the Volta a Catalunya. Rather than targeting the Giro d'Italia as he did last year, the Garmin-Cervélo rider has now confirmed he will miss that race, potentially setting him up for his debut Tour de France.

Martin was due to compete in the 2009 Tour but pulled out of the team days beforehand due to a leg injury. He opted not to ride it last year as it meant he could play a leader’s role at the Giro rather than a supporting role in the Tour. However allergy issues frustrated him there. A nasal operation over the winter has helped that situation somewhat, and he’s looking forward to a big season ahead.

“I was very surprised to be going as well in Catalunya,” he told The Irish Times this week. “The week before, the pollen was so bad I couldn’t really train. The operation has helped a lot, but I still get affected at times. As a result, I didn’t expect much in Catalunya, but things worked out very well.

“I’ll miss the Giro this year as it doesn’t make sense with the pollen. We’ll see how things go for the Tour; in theory I will be fresh for it, but we have a very strong team and so the line-up will be decided closer to the start.”

Martin’s team-mates include world champion Thor Hushovd, green jersey contenders Tyler Farrar and Heinrich Haussler, as well as general classification riders Christian Vande Velde and Ryder Hesjedal. Martin took a number of wins last year, though, including the Tour of Poland, and so he is very likely to be considered if he is in top form. Before then, he’ll continue racing and chasing results.

“Catalunya was a pleasant surprise, being right at the front of the race,” he said. “I think it bodes well for the rest of the year. I know what my level is at now and we can build on that. Next up is the GP Indurain on Saturday, then I will do the Vuelta al Pais Vasco next week. My big goal for the spring is the Ardennes Classics. I am really focusing on Flèche Wallonne this year, and will also ride Liège-Bastogne-Liège. I’ve been working hard in the gym to get some explosiveness for Flèche. I haven’t actually been doing long climbs, and that is why the stage to Andorra (in the Volta a Catalunaya, where he was fourth) was such a surprise.”

In other news, the third international team for this year’s An Post Rás has been confirmed. The American Wonderful Pistachios pro team has been added to the previously-announced Drapac Professional and New Zealand teams in the line-up. It will be led by Britain’s Tom Faiers, who competed at the ProTour level last year but who was sidelined from the sport due to heart rhythm irregularities. Extensive tests have shown these are not dangerous and he has been given the green light to return.

“Tom raced the Pro Tour last year with Footon Cervetto and brings a wealth of talent and experience to the squad,” said team manager Josh Horowitz.

The former triathlete showed his ability early on when the-then 18-year-old was able to hold the wheel of ProTour riders Alejandro Valverde and Luis Leon Sanchez on a hilly training ride in Murica. Impressed by his strength, they suggested he start competing in Spain and things progressed.

Faiers will be joined at the helm of the team by two-time British time trial champion Neil Coleman. The rest of the squad will be finalised closer to the May 22nd start of the event.

The An Post team for Hel van het Mergelland (April 2nd) is Ronan McLaughlin and Mark Cassidy (Ireland), Mark McNally, Andy Fenn, Niko Eeckhout, Pieter Ghyllebert, Dries Hollanders and Gedimis Bagdonas.

FIXTURES

Friday: Jazzer Wherity memorial, Balbriggan. Starts 5.30pm. Saturday: Harry ReynoldsMemorial, Man O’War. Starts 2pm; Tour of Ards, starts noon. Sunday: Ben McKenna Memorial, Balbriggan – sign on at Ring Commons Sports Centre, starts 11am; Aghagallon Cup, Bartins Bay, near Lurgan. First races at 10.30; Silver Pail GP, Fermoy, starts 1pm.